Prepare for a full-day adventure and begin with a drive into the Laurisilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its mild subtropical climate makes exploring this 40-million-year-old forest a delight, with ancient trees plunging into valleys and waterfalls cascading from cliffs, creating a magical atmosphere.

After touring the forest, head out on foot to reach the summit of Pico do Arieiro where panoramic views of Madeira Island await. Next, visit the Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint at Madeira’s northeastern tip, where dramatic sea cliffs meet the Atlantic Ocean.

Continue south to Porto da Cruz, home to one of Madeira’s oldest Catholic parishes, overlooked by the majestic Penha de Águia, a refuge for endangered seabirds.

End your day at the jewel of Madeira’s east: Ponta de São Lourenço, where volcanic cliffs meet the endless Atlantic.